Don’t Beat Yourself Up

Beating yourself up isn’t effective.

Burns writes:

“Suppose for example, you want to quit smoking. You may be reminding yourself about cancer and all the dangers of smoking. These fear tactics make you so nervous that you immediately reach for another cigarette; they don’t work.”

How To Visualize Success

Burns shares a three step method for visualizing success that actually does work. To visualize success effectively, take the following actions:

Step 1. List the advantages of taking the positive action.

Step 2. Fantasize you are in your favorite spot.

Step 3. Go through your list of benefits.

Step 1. List the advantages of taking the positive action.

Burns writes that you should prepare a list of all the positive consequences that you would enjoy if you take the action. Write down as many as you can and prioritize them. List the most important first.

Step 2. Fantasize you are in your favorite spot.

According to Burns, each night, before sleep, fantasize that you’re in your favorite spot. This could be walking on a mountain trail, lying on a beach … etc. Focus on every enjoyable detail and let your body go.

Step 3. Go through your list of benefits.

Burns writes that once your body is relaxed, go through your list of benefits one by one. State each benefit as if you already have it. For example, you might say, “Now that I have greater self-discipline, I can take on other challenges.”

Mental Conditioning is a Key to Success

I like the fact that Burns is shares a technique he’s successfully used on himself and with many of his patients.

I know that mental conditioning is a common practice among athletes and peak performers.

I’m also a believer that if you can see something in your mind’s eye, you have a better chance of achieving it.

If you can’t visualize success, then chances are you won’t achieve it (a self-fulfilling prophecy.)

Key Take Aways

Here are my key take aways:

Don’t beat yourself up. Clubbing yourself over the head isn’t effective in the long run.

Visualize the prize. Get a good picture of the end in mind. This is what you want to use for your inspiration.

List the benefits. Identify the positive results you’ll accomplish if you take the actions.

Repeat the benefits. Repeatedly going through your list of benefits will help remind and encourage you of your desired results.